Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve first aired on television in 1972.
The debut broadcast aired on NBC on December 31, 1972, welcoming 1973. It was created by Dick Clark as a younger, rock-oriented alternative to Guy Lombardo's long-running New Year's Eve broadcasts, which centered on big-band music.
The first edition was titled Three Dog Night's New Year's Rockin' Eve and was hosted by members of the rock group Three Dog Night. Clark provided live coverage from Times Square, while musical performances had been prerecorded at the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California.
A common mix-up is the program's network history. The first two editions were on NBC; beginning with the 1974–75 edition, the special moved to ABC, where it became closely identified with Clark. The title also changed over time, eventually becoming Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest.